Testimonials

The Fort Pierce Police Department, with the assistance of Treasure Coast Crime Stoppers has arrested Kelvin Smith, wanted in connection with the Sunday night shooting of four people at the Madison Cay Apartments in Fort Pierce.

On Wednesday, July 25, 2012 the Fort Pierce Police Department reached out to the community asking for assistance in locating Smith and the community responded quickly by using Treasure Coast Crime Stoppers to help lead police to the suspect. Smith was arrested shortly after 6:00 pm at 2601 Heathcote Drive after police received a Crime Stoppers tip reporting he was at the location. He was transported to the St. Lucie County Jail where he is being held without bond.

“We are pleased that our community responded so quickly and helped aid in the arrest of Mr. Smith, said Fort Pierce Police Chief R. Sean Baldwin. The success of the Treasure Coast Crime Stoppers Program depends on people submitting tips and today was a prime example of how well the program works in catching criminals”.

The Fort Pierce Police Department would also like to credit our media partners for publishing the photograph and information about Smith.

TCPalm Editorial: Crime Stoppers good at allowing citizens to provide information confidentially in fight against crime

But, there is an organization that works to break through that silence and bring the criminals to justice.

Crime Stoppers is an international, community-based nonprofit organization begun in 1976 in Albuquerque, N.M., which now has about 1,200 branches including one on the Treasure Coast. The program works with residents, law enforcement and the news media to provide a safe and secure method for people to aid law enforcement by providing anonymous tips on crimes.

Treasure Coast Crime Stoppers is not a law enforcement agency, but works with law enforcement by soliciting tips from people and forwarding those tips to law enforcement. Those providing tips can receive up to $1,000 if a tip leads to an arrest, particularly for the most serious crimes such as murder.

The Crime Stoppers program succeeds when other methods of investigation by law enforcement may be hampered because of its mandate of anonymity. Crime Stoppers does not know the identity of those making tips and no information on identity is given to law enforcement.

Great care is given to protect the confidentiality of those making tips. Each person making a tip is assigned a number to identify himself. When the person checks back on the status of his tip, he uses that number of identify himself. If a reward for information is authorized, the person making the tip is given a bank to visit through the drive-thru and is presented cash in an envelope.

The only way for the identity of the person making a tip to become known is if the person making the tip identifies himself in some way outside of the Crime Stoppers procedures.

Fort Pierce Police Chief Sean Baldwin recently encouraged people to call Crime Stoppers as one way to assist the police department in cracking down on a recent outbreak of gang violence. Baldwin said he has never learned the identity of anyone who has used Crime Stoppers and requested anonymity.

He made the suggestion that people contact Treasure Coast Crime Stoppers because some in the community who might have helpful information may fear retaliation. That fear should be eased, he said, if they call Crime Stoppers with their information. In that way, he said, they can do their part in helping to reduce violence in their community without putting themselves in potential danger. And, though he didn't say so, they may also be eligible for a cash reward if their information leads to an arrest or arrests.

Those interested in taking advantage of Crime Stoppers can phone in a tip at 1-800-273-8477, leave a web tip at www.tcwatch.org, or text Tip 151 and the tip to 274637.

Help break the silence that allows criminals to avoid justice. Help Crime Stoppers help law enforcement.

LET THE COMMUNITY KNOW HOW YOU HELPED T.C.C.S. OR HOW T.C.C.S. HELPED YOU.

Treasure Coast Crime Stoppers is grateful to the Treasure Coast community for assisting us in solving crime and creating safer neighborhoods. As an added measure of informing the communities of our plesure in serving you we have added some of our THANK YOU'S for your review.

WEB TIP CRIME NOTES - 4/10/09Notes: I just wanted to say thanks to Treasure Coast Crime Stoppers for rewarding me for the information I gave. I never thought it would be so easy for me to get paid for information I know without anyone knowing who I am. I got $200 and was able to pay my light bill before they turned it off.

WEB TIP CRIME NOTES - 6/15/10Notes: I want to sent this in e-mail but I send on tip because I remain not known. But Crime Stoppers help me to get abuse to stop. when I call them people came to help and things get better. I get my money fast and it is good. thanks you to crime stoppers.